California State University, Dominguez Hills presents
Native and Indigenous Cultural Teaching Garden: Phase I – Germination
Supporting sustainability efforts in collaboration with local Indigenous stakeholders engaged in regenerative land stewardship across southern California.
This is the first of three phases in a long-term project to develop land-based, community-engaged learning resources in consultation with Southern California Native communities. Objectives prioritize infrastructure and opportunities that support culturally affirming curricula and spaces for Native students who are presently not well represented in campus programming. By expanding the California Native cultural demonstration beds at the Campus Urban Farm and representing land-based cultural learning resources in other areas on campus, we can establish green spaces that are responsible not only ecologically and fiscally but also ethically; this educational project nurtures collaborative, consultant-led, ongoing relationships with Tribal communities.
The project aims to contribute to CSUDH Sustainability’s goal of shaping our campus as a “living laboratory” with the Campus Urban Farm Native Californian cultural demonstration beds and expansions into campus to be community-engaged teaching tools and learning opportunities for CSUDH students as well as Tongva and other Indigenous stakeholders who are willing and able to share their botanical and cultural knowledge with students, staff, and faculty through consultation, teachings, storytelling, and ceremony.
Faculty Lead:
Morgan Siewart
Collaborating Partner:
CSUDH Office of Sustainability & The Center for Sustainability and the Environment | University Sustainability Committee | CSUDH Campus Urban Farm | Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice & The Office of Tribal Relations | Gabrielino Tongva community members, elders, culture bearers, and cultural resource administrators
Aligned LA County Sustainability Plan Goals:
Goal 11: Inclusive, transparent, and accountable governance that supports and encourages participation in sustainability efforts, especially by disempowered communities. Goal 12: A commitment to realize OurCounty sustainability goals through creative, equitable, and coordinated funding and partnerships.
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